Have you ever been overwhelmed with thankfulness and praise to the Lord?  In Psalm 30, David is praising and thanking God for rescuing him from the quarry below, the enemy around, and the agony within (vv. 1-3).   Sometimes the problems we face are caused by others.  David faced enemies that taunted and attempted to kill him, and the Lord rescued him time and time again (Psalm 13, 25, 41, 69, etc.).  Other times, we cause the distress we are encountering.  In 2 Samuel 24, we see God was angry at Israel for their sin.  To make matters worse, David sins and performs an unholy census and causes 70,000 people to die.  David repented of his sin, but the agony within of what he had done stayed with him (2 Samuel 24:10, 14).  He built an altar of worship and the plague stopped.  Psalm 30 is dedicated to the purchase of this land David built for personal worship to the Lord (1 Chronicles 21) and an expression of thankfulness and praise towards God’s mercy and forgiveness.  God can rescue us from the temporary enemies around and within, but He ultimately rescues us from the eternal enemy of hell.  God saved David from the pit (Sheol), the realm of the dead that he deserved because of the mire of his sin.  Through Jesus, God rescues us from the hell we deserve because of our sin as well. 

David is rescued from internal, external, and eternal hell and this causes him to sing praises to the Lord (vv. 4, 12).  This was good news for David and everyone else (vv. 4-5).  Read Psalm 30 again and see that David has been rescued from sin, death, damnation, wrath, disease, enemies, and depression.  God’s favor was upon him (vv. 5, 7).  God’s mercy soothed David’s anguish (vv. 8, 10).  This caused David to dance and express joy (vv. 5, 11).  God had given David a new day as his nightly sorrow turned into morning joy (v. 5).  David had received a new outlook, receiving favor instead of dismay (v. 7).  Instead of wailing God put a new song of praise in David’s heart and mouth (vv. 11-12).  What a mighty God!  Though our sorrow lasts for a night, His joy comes in the morning (v. 5)!

Questions:

1. What sorrow have you been carrying that the Lord wants to turn into joy?
2. What sin needs forgiving so you can express thanksgiving and praise?
3. Do you need a new day, a new perspective, and a new song from the Lord?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for rescuing me from the enemy within, around, and under me.  Thank you for forgiving me from the sin I’ve done, rescuing me from the enemies I face, and saving me from my hell I deserve.  I will praise You for Your favor and mercy.  Sorrow may last for a night, but Your joy comes in the morning!  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Categories: Uncategorized

stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.